Handhole plate



9 A. J. MosEs ET AL 1,735,125

HANDHOLE PLATE Filed May 5, 1927 JJJIosea 2Q INVENTOR5 A TTORNEY Patented Nov. 12, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFEQE AMAZIAH J. MOSES AND'FRANK H; WRIGHT, OF CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, AS- SIGNORS TO THE CASEY-HEDGES 00., OF CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, A CORPORA- TION OF OHIO Application filed May 3,

This invention relates to hand-hole plates for use in connection with boilers or tanks, the primary object of the same being to provide means of simplified construction Whereby handh0le openings in the shell or Wrapper sheet of the boiler or tank may be securely closed and maintained so in steam, gas or water tight manner and yet which permits of the hole being readily opened and entirely cleared when desired.

A further object is to provide closure means I for hand-hole openings which is featured by means of'improved nature for effecting an extremely tight seal and without subjecting the shell or wrapper sheet to strain or distortion. I

Still further the invention aims to provide simplified assemblage means for the cover plate and its associated parts which enables the same to be quickly and easily installed or removed without the necessity of special skill or tools, which permits of an extremely tight and efficient seal being made, and which holds the plate locked in tight position with little likelihood of the same becoming loosened incident to jarring or vibratory action.

lVith these objects in view, together with others which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consistsin the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, all as will be described more fully hereinafter, illustrated in the drawing, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. l is a fragmentary top plan view of,

the improved hand-hole cover plate construction, and

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken transversely through the assemblage and through a part of the shell with which it is associated.

The boiler head, casing or shell is represented generally at 3, and is provided with the usual circular hand-hole opening to permitof access being had to the interior at required times. The edge of this opening, in the present instance, is bevelled outwardly as indicated at 4, providing an annular inclined seat coextensive with the opening.

The hand-hole plate is indicated at 5, and is of substantially disc-shape with its edges 1927. Serial No. 188,552.

HANDHOLE PLATE cut away at opposite sides, as represented at 6, to a size substantially equal to the diameter of the opening. This permits of the plate passing through the opening when tilted slightly, as will be readily understood. The remaining edges of the plate are provided with an outwardly projecting flange 7 to overlie the inner face of the shell adjacent the opening therein, and theouter face. of" the plate is rounded or bevelled as at 8 in a direction substantially opposite to the bevel 4c of the opening. r

Associated with the plate thus formed is a cap 9 of substantially disc-shape and having an annular inturned flange 10 with its edges bevelled as shown to lit between the bevel of the shell opening and the adjacent rounded or bevelled portion of the hand-hole plate. The diameter of the cap is such that the eX- tremity of the flange portion 10 thereof overlies the juncture between the hand-hole opening and the plate 5. A gasket, either metallic or non-metallic, indicated at 11 is dispos .d in thespace or pocket between the boiler opening and the hand-hole-platc, and if preferred this gasket may be of one piece so as to extend entirely around the opening. The gasket may be of circular cross section or angular-as desired, and as before stated, may be of metallic or non-metallic formation. This gasket lies directly beneath'the edge of the inturnedflange 10 of the cap so as to be en gaged directly thereby when the cap is properly placed over the hand-hole plate. I

The plate 5 has projecting centrally and outwardly therefrom a bolt indicatedat 12, the inner end of the same being headed as at 13 upon the inner side of the plate. The base portion of this bolt has an enlargement or shoulder indicated n14, which portion'is provided with one or more angular or flat faces as shown. The cap 9 is provided with an outwardly projecting boss 15 of a size and shape corresponding with the shoulder or enlargement Hand of a size substantially equal to or a little larger than said enlargement. In the present instance, the enlarge ment 14 and the boss or neck portion 15 of the cap are of rectangular shape, but it will. be

understood that more or less fiat interengaging taces on these parts may be provided.

The boss 15 is open at its outer end, and a closure plate 17 overlies and tightly fits upon this boss. This plate corresponds in shape to the exterior of the neck or boss 15, and has a central opening 17 through which the bolt 12 projects. A nut 18 engages with the threads upon the outer or protruding end of the bolt.

in applying the hand-hole plate, the same is inserted in the opening by tilting action in the manner well understood, and when properly engaged within the opening so that the flanges 7 thereof engage with the inner face of the shell adjacent the opening, the gasket 11 is applied to the groove "formed between the opening and the plate. The cap is then engaged over the bolt so that the inturned flanges at the edges thereof rest upon the gasket 11. At the same time, the boss 15 will engage over the correspondingly shaped shoulder or enlargement oi the bolt and any tendency of relative rotation between the bolt and the cap will thus be prevented.

The closure plate 17 is then engaged over the neck or boss 15 with the bolt 12 projecting through the central opening thereof. The nut 18 is then applied to the threads of the bolt and tightenec. This tighteningaction may be facilitated by applying a tool such as a wrench to the angular edges of the closure plate 17, to hold the same and the cap 9 against rotation while the nut is being tightened. This tightening action causes the flange portions 19 oft-he cap to compress the gasket within the channel or recess between the hand-hole plate and the opening 5 so as to tightly close all crevices and joints. At the same time, the hand-hole plate is caused to be drawn tight against the inner faces of the shell adjacent the opening. Tightening of the nut, therefore, securely seals the joint between the plate and the shell, but the construction is such that however tight the bolt may be turned, no strains are transmitted to the shell itselt'. r

The interlocking arrangement of the boss and the enlargement of the bolt locks the parts securely in position and holds the same against relative movement without the application 01 force directed upon the nut. By a plying a wrench to the boss of cap 9 in tightening or loosening the holding nut, the cap and plate are held against rotatlon, whereby applying and removing the device is greatly facilitated. In addition, the elimination of rotary movement of either the cap or hand-hole plate in these operations overcomes possibility of grinding or otherwise adversely fi'i'lGCL'lllQ' the gasket. The construction o'f'the hand-hole plate in its manner of assembly with the boiler or tank shell is such that fluid pressure against the inner surface of the hand-hole platedoes not increase compression upon the sealing ring or gasket, and any increase or decrease in fluid pressure, can, therefore, not alter the condition or eilect of the gasket 01' seat.

Having thus described our invention, we claim The combination with a. shell having an opening therein, of a plate having a flange adapted to engage the inner face of the shell adjacent the opening, a cap having its edges cooperating with said plate and an outer surface of said shell to seal said opening, a central and outwardly projecting open boss on said cap, said boss having interior and exterior angular walls, a bolt carried by said plate and projecting centrally through said boss, an enlargement on that portion of said bolt disposed within the boss conforming in size and shape with the interior of said boss to hold the bolt and cap against relative rotation, cover plate for said boss. a flange at the edges or said cover plate to fit over'said boss and having walls corresponding in size and shape with the exterior of said boss to hold the cover plate and cap against relative rotation, and a nut on the outer end of said bolt.

In testimony whereof we atfix our signatures.

AMAZIAH J. MOSES. FRANK H. WRIGH'. 

